SEC Football: Ranking the top special teams units for 2017

Sep 1, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks place kicker Elliott Fry (29) kicks the winning field goal against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. South Carolina won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 19, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores place kicker Tommy Openshaw (17) kicks an extra point against the Austin Peay Governors during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt improved across the board in special teams last season, although the outlook for 2017 isn’t all positive. Plus, while the team improved, the Commodores still weren’t great on special teams. Losing kick returner Darrius Sims is a huge loss. Sims returned a kickoff 95 yards to open the game against Georgia, a huge win for the Commodores.

Wide receiver C. J. Duncan was the team’s secondary option as a kickoff returner in 2016. His yards-per-kickoff wasn’t particularly impressive. Running back Ralph Webb only received two kickoffs but had a much better average.

Expect Kalija Lipscomb to lock down the punt returner duties after fielding a team-high 10 punt returns in 2016.

Tommy Openshaw excelled at kicker, hitting 15-of-19 field goal attempts.

Punter Sam Loy returns, although his freshman season wasn’t spectacular. Loy averaged 36.5 yards per punt, which was well below the bottom half of the FBS.

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